Tsgt Bill Baskett Usaf (Ret)

Bill Baskett, of Abilene, Texas was born on April 26, 1932 in Covington, Texas. Bill passed from this life on January 26, 2022 at the age of 89. Bill was the son of Roy and Ruby Baskett. Bill had 7 siblings, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Bill and his entire family picked cotton, raised animals, and made ends meet by working hard as a family on a farm! Bill joined the Navy at the age of 18. After 4 years on a destroyer in the Navy and serving in the Korean War, Bill transferred over to the Air Force where he was in the Military Police. While stationed in England, he met the love of his life, Pauline Walters. Bill and Pauline were married on August 17th, 1957. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year!

After their marriage, Bill and Pauline moved back to Abilene, Texas. They had their first child, Ann Pauline, on Christmas day, 1959. Their 2nd child, Michael Roy, was born in 1962. Bill and Pauline lived in Abilene, Texas, then Great Falls, Montana, then Miami, Florida. Bill retired from the military as a recruiter for the Air Force. They moved the family back to Abilene, Texas in 1972 where Bill and Pauline have lived ever since.

Bill loved to shoot pool, throw darts, play golf, and watch westerns! But what Bill loved to do most with his time, was to preach the gospel of Jesus! After 40 years without the Lord in his life, Bill was immersed into Christ on August 27th, 1972, along with his entire family. Bill spent the last 50 years teaching about Jesus' "good news" and converting people from a life of sin. He was an evangelist almost from the first day he was saved! His love for God and love for people compelled Bill to teach about the cross and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ! He absolutely loved reading his Bible and learning more and more about God's love. Bill served as a deacon and an elder and also started a school of evangelism.

Bill leaves an incredible legacy of love and commitment! He was an encourager, a positive thinker, a man who saw the good in others, a giver of "great hugs," a man who would give you the shirt off his back, and a man who was content. His family and friends will miss him dearly!

Surviving family members include his wife, Pauline; his daughter Ann Baskett-Winchester and her husband Randy, of Winters, Texas; his son Michael Baskett and his wife Karen, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Bill had 5 grandchildren; Heather Martin of Winters, Texas; Tod Martin of Poolville, Texas; Hunter Baskett and his wife Zoe, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Colby Baskett and his wife Alyssa, of Hawley, Texas; Curry Grayson and her husband Braeden, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Bill also had 3 great-grandchildren; Ethan Juarez of Winters, Texas; and Raiden Soto, of Winters, Texas; Westin Baskett of Hawley, Texas. Bill's only living sibling, his sister, Rita Rosser, of Ft. Worth, Texas. His church family and many, many friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother; 6 siblings, and his grandparents.